Raiders greatest club clashes

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greeneyed
Don Furner
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Raiders greatest club clashes

Post by greeneyed »

Raiders greatest club clashes

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In late 2009, as part of the fifth birthday celebrations for The Greenhouse, a series of polls was run to determine the greatest clashes between the Raiders and each of the other 15 NRL clubs... and two clubs no longer in the top grade - North Sydney and Newtown. They were the Canberra Raiders top 17 greatest club clashes of all time of all time against:

Brisbane Broncos

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1995 Mullins' Miracle Try

After the 1994 premiership, the Raiders powered on in 1995, just missing the minor premiership at season's end. Canberra sounded a warning to the rest of the competition when they thrashed the Broncos 26-0 in round eight. Another big crowd of 23,740 was left gasping, when Brett Mullins chipped and chased twice to score his legendary "miracle try" under the posts. It was the first time since 1991 that the Brisbane Broncos had been kept scoreless.

The Mullins Miracle Try:

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jwLDYcGFYU

1995 Round 8 - Canberra 26 (David Furner 2, Brett Mullins, Ken Nagas, Jason Croker tries; David Furner 3 goals) def Brisbane 0 at Bruce Stadium.

Canterbury Bulldogs

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1994 Grand Final

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The Canberra Raiders kicked off and Martin Bella knocked on. The Raiders looked like they would win the 1994 decider from the outset. The heroes: Paul Osborne and Mal Meninga. Paul Osborne was a middle of the road player for the Raiders. He was leaving the club, set to play in England, but the suspension of prop John Lomax meant Osborne would earn a late call up for the Grand Final. He played the match of his life. First, he produced a superb pass to David Furner to set up the first try for Canberra. Then he produced a miracle one handed pass around the body of Terry Lamb to Ken Nagas, sending the Canberra winger on his way to a 60 metre try.

Mal Meninga, already a legend, and playing his last game on Australian soil – capped the magnificent Raiders victory with a 30 metre intercept try, 17 minutes from the end of the match. His celebratory gesture after that try has now been captured in bronze, the statue adorning the entry to the Mal Meninga Grandstand at Canberra Stadium. Those were two heroes for Canberra that day, but it was a team for the ages right across the park. David Furner was Clive Churchill medalist for player of the match. But the likes of Daley, Stuart, Croker, Walters, Clyde and Mullins were all magnificent. One of the most amazing days in the history of the Canberra Raiders.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv1CvpB5syk
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WZWXFNz ... re=related
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuzGe5x- ... re=related

1994 Grand Final – Raiders 36 (Ken Nagas 2, Noa Nadruku, David Furner, Laurie Daley, Jason Croker, Mal Meninga tries, David Furner 4 goals) defeated Bulldogs 12 at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Cronulla Sharks

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Attacking blitz - 1989 Minor Semi Final

Canberra had lost twice to Cronulla in 1989 but turned the tables magnificently in the finals. Cronulla had produced brilliant form in the play off for fifth against the Broncos mid week, but if failed to re-appear in this clash at the Sydney Football Stadium, and were given a hiding by Canberra 31-10. Canberra showed themselves to be the finest attacking side in the competition, scoring six tries.

Glen Lazarus, Brad Clyde and Gary Coyne provided the foundation in the centre and then the Raiders employed the familiar pattern of stretching the ball wide to the backline maestros, and it paid handsome dividends.

"We can play better than that" Mal Meninga warned after the match.

1989 Minor Semi Final - Canberra Raiders 31 (Gary Belcher, Matthew Wood, Laurie Daley, Chris O'Sullivan, Gary Coyne, Paul Martin tries, Matthew Wood 2, Chris O'Sullivan goals, Chris O'Sullivan field goal) defeated Cronulla Sharks 10.

Gold Coast

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Sweet revenge

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In round four of 2008, a Michael Weyman send off – for punching Gold Coast forward Daniel Conn – and defeat for the Raiders produced a war of words and bad blood post match. So in round 20, it was sweet revenge on the Titans at Canberra Stadium. Half back Todd Carney had been suspended for off field indiscretions – and it was announced on the night Carney would be stood down for the rest of the season – but it did not impact the performance of the rest of the team. Terry Campese stood up and led the side, along with young half Marc Herbert. While the Coast scored the first try, Canberra was well in control at half time, leading 22-4. An eight try haul and a thumping win to the Green Machine.

2008 Round 20 – Canberra Raiders 46 (Colin Best 2, David Milne, Marc Herbert, Justin Carney, Joe Picker, Ben Jones, Adrian Purtell tries, Terry Campese 7 goals) defeated Gold Coast Titans 4 at Canberra Stadium.

Manly Sea Eagles

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The Mac Attack

The Raiders delivered a record come from behind win in 1998 under desperate circumstances, and did it largely without Ricky Stuart, Laurie Daley and Brad Clyde. Stuart was out with recurring migraines, Daley left the field early with a hamstring strain, and Clyde left the field for a period with concussion. Manly blasted to a 20-2 lead after 25 minutes, but Canberra gradually clawed its way back into the game. A young halves pairing of Andrew McFadden and Mark McLinden - with a handful of top grade games between them – took control. An exciting second half saw the scores deadlocked at 20-20 with just a minute to go. A kick from Manly forward Nik Kosef deflected off Brad Clyde, and the 18 year old McLinden scooped up the ball and produced an electric 50 metre run down the sideline for the winning try on the bell. The “Mac Attack” was born.

1998 Round 5 – Canberra Raiders 26 (Jason Croker 2, Luke Davico, Albert Fulivai, Mark McLinden tries, David Furner 3 goals) defeated Manly Sea Eagles 20 at Bruce Stadium.

Melbourne Storm

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Ding, Dong the Witch is Dead

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It was the mid-winter of 2009 and the Raiders were enduring a wretched run under new coach David Furner, lurching to a 4-9 win-loss record. With pressure mounting, the Raiders were forced to face a full-strength Melbourne Storm side - a team they had not beaten for seven seasons. In front of a modest crowd, the Raiders started strongly - an aerial attack down the right resulting in tries to Justin Carney and Joel Monaghan. Carney was instrumental in shutting down superstar Greg Inglis, while the kicking game of Terry Campese and Marc Herbert kept the Storm continually under pressure and well-behind at half time, down 16-4.

An early try to Justin Carney in the second half gave him his double and the Raiders a commanding 20-4 lead, and many Raiders fans dared to dream - could the Storm finally be beaten? Josh Dugan at fullback was mesmerising, racking up close to 300 metres with several blistering runs, while the Raiders forward pack continually worked over their more fancied opponents. The class of the Storm shone through however with two quick tries, reducing the margin to four with almost 20 minutes to play. Many Raiders fans feared the worst, however inspirational defence and a last-second try to Bronson Harrison ensured scenes of jubilation around Canberra Stadium. In his first season as coach, Furner had achieved something both predecessors Elliott and Henry could not.

2009 Round 16 – Canberra 26 (Joel Monaghan 2, Justin Carney 2, Bronson Harrison tries, Terry Campese 3 goals) defeated Melbourne Storm 16 at Canberra Stadium.

Newcastle Knights

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Mullins Magic

In front of nearly 23,000 screaming Novocastrians, the Raiders were surging late in 1994 on what was ultimately their journey to the premiership title that season. The Raiders were in fourth place that night, and only two wins ahead of the Knights on the ladder, but there was to be no stopping the Green Machine. Leading 24-6 at half-time, the Raiders proceeded to put the home side to the sword in what was a 52-16 massacre. The game is most fondly remembered for not one but four pieces of brilliance from fullback Brett Mullins - two of his tries consisting of evasive length-of-the-field efforts where no opposition player could lay a hand on him. It was the second consecutive week that the custodian had bagged four tries, on his way to equalling the club try-scoring record for a season.

1994 Round 18 – Canberra Raiders 52 (Brett Mullins 4, Ruben Wiki 2, Steve Walters, Noa Nadruku, Ricky Stuart tries; David Furner 8 goals) defeated Newcastle Knights 16 at Newcastle International Sports Ground.

Newtown Jets

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First taste of victory

On April 19, 1982, a telegram from Sydney commentator Ron Casey arrived at Canberra Raiders headquarters. It read “Sincere congratulations – JC is infallible, RC is not.” Like many critics, Casey had underestimated the newborn Raiders, predicting they would not win a match in their debut season in the NSWRL. His apology was swift, arriving the day after Canberra’s memorable 12-11 victory over the Newtown Jets at Seiffert Oval.

The Raiders had four wins in their inaugural season, but it’s hard to beat that first taste of victory. The Parramatta Eels had beaten the newcomers 54-3 the previous week.

“It was like winning a grand final” Ashley Gilbert said.

“Like batting in your first Test match and finally getting off the duck.”

Hooker Jay Hoffman recalled, “I’d injured my neck towards the end of the game and had to go to the hospital for some x rays. All I wanted to do was to get back for the celebrations. To carry that losing streak for so long, it was a momentous occasion.”

The front page of The Canberra Times screamed, “A glorious first for the Raiders” and captain David Grant was quoted “we are on top of the world”. It certainly felt that way for a young Canberra lad, Chris O’Sullivan, who had come off the bench to score the match winner. O’Sullivan ran past two defenders, hurdled a couple more in his path, and dived over for the decisive try.

The Jets had been grand finalists the year before and in the midst of Seiffert celebrations, it must have felt like they had lost another decider.

1982 Round 8 - Canberra Raiders 12 (Jon McLeod, Chris O'Sullivan tries, Steve O'Callaghan 3 goals) defeated Newtown Jets 11.

New Zealand Warriors

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Semi-final heartbreak

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The Raiders and Warriors fought one of the most gripping finals matches in history, with the New Zealand team just out-pointing the Green Machine, 17-16. The crowd of 30,000 at the Sydney Football Stadium was dominated by Warriors fans, who had been given 10,000 free tickets to the match by sponsor Vodafone - after fears that two 'out of town' teams would draw a poor crowd.

Facing a hostile reception, the Raiders were brilliant in the opening stages. Mark McLinden made a clean break in the first set, streaking downfield before the cover defence caught him. From the ensuing set, the Raiders were awarded a penalty which allowed Clinton Schifcofske a penalty goal to open the scoring. Soon after, an inspired run from captain Simon Woolford led to a try under the posts, and after another penalty goal the Raiders were flying at 10-0. The Warriors, beaten grand finalists from the previous season, demonstrated their ability to step up a gear and produced two quick tries to even the match up at half time, the weight of possession strongly in New Zealand's favour.

Early in the second half, the Warriors scored again to take the lead for the first time, and many thought they would run away with the game. However the Raiders would not lie down. In a ferocious forwards battle, Ryan O'Hara and Luke Davico were devastating, as was Ruben Wiki who was playing out wider. Numerous big hits dominated the second half and the Raiders managed to pressure the Warriors into mistakes. A no-nonsense bargeover try from Luke Davico had the game tied up at 16 all, and it stayed that way for 20 tense minutes.

The final stages will live in Raiders infamy for many a year. With only minutes on the clock, the Raiders in their best field position for most of the half and a field goal beckoning, Mark McLinden decided to grubber instead for Jason Bulgarelli. The ball sat up beautifully for the centre, who just needed to just hold the ball and fall over for a try. But he could not keep it in his grasp and dropped it forward. The Warriors subsequently worked the ball up field, giving Stacey Jones field position to drop the winning one pointer, just three minutes from the end. A frenetic final few seconds did not allow the Raiders to try and square the match, leaving the players and the thousands of Green Machine fans in the stands heartbroken after an amazing season.

2003 Semi-Final – New Zealand Warriors 17 defeated Canberra Raiders 16 (Simon Woolford, Luke Davico tries, Clinton Schifcofske 4 goals) at Sydney Football Stadium

North Sydney Bears

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Day of high drama

The Canberra Raiders met the North Sydney Bears for the second time in the 1994 finals series in the grand final qualifier. In week two of the finals, Norths had defeated Brisbane by a point, while the Raiders had been defeated 19-18 by the Bulldogs in an epic extra time match. And the drama would continue in the preliminary final in front of 42,000 people.

Raiders prop John Lomax was sent from the field in the 23rd minute for a high tackle on Norths lock Billy Moore. The Raiders trailed 6-2 at the time, and Raiders fans heads went down. But then just four minutes later, Norths forward Gary Larson was also dismissed. What seemed impossible was again possible. Mal Meninga scored a try in the 35th minute to level the scores, but Jason Taylor gave the Bears a 7-6 half time lead, with a drop goal.

But then the Raiders went into overdrive in the second half. A try to Noa Nadruku gave Canberra a 14-7 lead, and then a freakish pass from Mal Meninga to Ken Nagas produced the decisive try with 20 minutes remaining. Meninga was man of the match, and now one thing was left for Canberra in 1994 - the Grand Final.

1994 Preliminary Final - Canberra Raiders 22 (Mal Meninga, Noa Nadruku, Ken Nagas, Brett Mullins tries, David Furner 3 goals) defeated North Sydney Bears 9.

North Queensland Cowboys

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2006 Golden Point

Todd Carney sealed this heart stopping match in the eighth minute of extra time, with a golden point field goal from 39 metres out. The Cowboys sat atop the competition ladder coming into the match. But Canberra led 12-8 at half time and the half time lead could have been greater if Marshall Chalk had not dropped a pass with the line open, 90 seconds out from the break. A Schifcofske penalty extended the Raiders lead, but a try and sideline conversion to Johnathon Thurston tied up the match 14-14. Despite throwing everything at the Raiders in attack in final 20 minutes, Canberra’s scrambling defence held on. The Cowboys had a chance to win in regulation time but Chalk plucked a Matt Bowen field goal from 10m out of mid-air. An epic win for the Green Machine.

2006 Round 12 – Raiders 15 (Phil Graham, David Howell tries, Clinton Schifcofske 3 goals, Todd Carney field goal) defeated Cowboys 14 at Townsville.

Parramatta Eels

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The upset of the decade

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David had it easy against Goliath. The 13,578 fans at Seiffert Oval on June 12 1983 saw a real upset. At that time, the Parramatta Eels were the undisputed kings of the rugby league world. They'd won back to back premierships in 1981-82 and would go on to make it three in a row later that year. In the three previous games against the Eels since their inception, the Raiders had been beaten by a combined total of 137-24. In fact, Parramatta's 54-3 defeat of the Raiders in 1982 ranks as one of the club's biggest losses. To further highlight the mismatch, Parramatta had more Australian Test players in its side than the Raiders had had victories so far in the 1983 season. So it is that Canberra's 8-0 victory over the Eels that day will never be forgotten.

"I don't remember who coined the phrase but we called that one the 'Bobby Sands win'" hooker Jay Hoffman recalled, referring to the Irish republican who famously starved himself to death in a 1981 political protest.

"That's what it was - we shut them out. I don't think there would have been too many better wins from a club point of view. It wasn't luck, it wasn't because they were missing their stars, we just played better footy."

Stand in captain for the injured Alan McMahon that day, centre Ron Giteau, scored all Canberra's eight points - a try and two penalty goals. Up 4-0 at half time, Raiders' coach Don Furner asked his team if they could keep the pressure up for a full game.

"To a man, they all shouted 'yes'" Furner said.

The only try was scored seven minutes into the second half and it was the first time a Parramatta side had been kept scoreless for 18 years. It was described as the upset of the decade, some being as bold to declare it as the greatest upset in rugby league history. Sydney headlines portrayed the shock. "Eels stunned" wrote The Sun. "Eels humbled by discards" was The Telegraph's headline.

A Raiders original who went on to enjoy the club's later success Chris O'Sullivan, rates the win highly.

"That would be the pick of all of them in the early years" he said.

"We just went out and got stuck straight into them. We knocked them around severely, we really gave them a bashing. We were in their faces. They didn't cross our tryline and never looked like it either."

The Raiders would repeat the dose against Parramatta at Seiffert Oval the following year. David Grant, swathed in bandages because of a head gash, would leap across the tryline for a 14-10 victory.

Team: Gary Wurth, Ray Blacklock, Ron Giteau, Craig Bellamy, Terry Fahey, Percy Knight, Chris O'Sullivan, Ashley Gilbert, John McLeod, Paul Elliott, Gary Spears, Jay Hoffman and David Grant.

1983 Round 16 – Canberra Raiders 8 (Ron Giteau try; Ron Giteau 2 goals) defeated Parramatta 0 at Seiffert Oval.

Penrith Panthers

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1990 Grand Final

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1990 Premiership winning squad.

The Canberra Raiders were looking for back-to-back premierships in 1990, after their fairytale first grand final victory in 1989. Penrith were looking for their first title. Penrith started the match strongly, but Canberra quickly took control. A break to Gary Belcher and a long cut out pass by Ricky Stuart set up the first try for John Ferguson, and then an incisive run from Ricky Stuart set up a Laurie Daley try under the posts. “Canberra – they’re too hot, they’re too strong” came the famous call from the commentary box. However, the Panthers fought back. A try to Brad Fittler just before half time, was followed by another to Paul Smith just after the break, and Penrith trailed by just two.

The match hung in the balance for much of the second half, with Ricky Stuart’s masterful kicking game critical to the Raiders maintaining their hold on the lead. Then just five minutes from the end, the Raiders scored a spectacular try – Meninga and Daley barnstorming in attack, and Matthew Wood finishing with the four points. The match belonged to Canberra, despite a last minute try from Greg Alexander through a tap close to the line. Ricky Stuart was Clive Churchill medalist for his towering performance. And the greatness of this Green Machine team – minor premiers and premiers – was firmly written in the record books.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzJXoc9hy8w

1990 Grand Final – Canberra Raiders 18 (John Ferguson, Laurie Daley, Matthew Wood tries, Mal Meninga 3 goals) defeated Penrith Panthers 14.

South Sydney Rabbitohs

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1989 Preliminary Final

Canberra had lost twice in the regular season to the 1989 minor premiers, but the brilliant attack of the Green Machine overcame the toughest defence in the league in the Preliminary Final. The victory saw the Raiders become the first team from equal fifth position to ever qualify for the Grand Final. Canberra started the match on fire, scoring after two minutes and then again just four minutes later – giving the Raiders a 10-0 lead. But the Rabbitohs came back, with the teams level pegging at 12-12 at the break.

A Chris O’Sullivan try after half time was answered by a Mario Fenech try, with only the boot of Mal Meninga keeping the Raiders in front. It was an intense struggle, but a brilliant try to Gary Belcher eight minutes from fulltime stretched the lead. A try to Glen Lazarus three minutes from the end locked the victory away. The unfashionable Raiders forwards outpointed the big Souths pack, while Belcher and Meninga produced superb performances.

1989 Preliminary Final – Canberra Raiders 32 (Gary Belcher 2, Chris O’Sullivan, Glen Lazarus, Steve Walters tries, Mal Meninga 6 goals) defeated South Sydney Rabbitohs 16.

St George Illawarra Dragons

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The mother of all upsets

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Terry Campese in the thick of the hostilities.

It was expected to be a routine day at the office for the Dragons, who were cruising to the 2009 minor premiership. Easily the best defensive unit all season, they came to Canberra Stadium and faced a hostile crowd of over 19,000, and once again proved inpenetrable. A try either side of half time had the joint venture club up 12-0 and it was expected that the Dragons would simply suffocate the Raiders out of the game. Inconsistent all season, the Raiders turned on undoubtedly their best thirty minutes of the season. An amazing try from a scrum by Jarrod Croker got the Raiders on the board, and only one set later boom winger Daniel Vidot had crossed in the corner. Immaculate kicking by five-eighth Terry Campese leveled the scores, and when Dane Tilse collected a grubber only minutes later, the Raiders were somehow in the lead.

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The Raiders celebrate a Dane Tilse try.

Providing the blueprint to rattle the Dragons, ill-discipline gave the Raiders the chance to seal the victory with a string of penalty goals. It was an exceptional victory for the Raiders, one that the Dragons never recovered from in 2009.

Match highlights:
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCwahG0E ... re=channel

2009 Round 23 – Canberra Raiders 24 (Jarrod Croker, Daniel Vidot, Dane Tilse tries, Terry Campese 6 goals) defeated St George Illawarra 12.

Sydney Roosters

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Farewell to Lozza, Mullos and the Furnace

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The rainbow over Canberra Stadium at the end of Laurie Daley’s farewell home game said it all. July 9 2000 was Daley’s moment, a day when everything he touched turned to gold. The Raiders captain led his team to a 40-12 win over the Roosters, eventual grand finalists that year.

“I felt invincible out there today and I just felt like I could do nothing wrong” Daley said after the match.

“Without no word of a lie, this is one of the best moments I’ve had in my career.”

Despite the miserable conditions, 23,603 fans turned out to farewell Daley, as well as David Furner and Brett Mullins, who were both bound for England. Looking back, Daley still considers it one of the most special days of his decorated career.

“I think I was more emotional in that game than any other” Daley said.

“I was very passionate and used to get extremely excited and keyed up for big games. People said to try and stay relaxed but I found I played better when I was keyed up. I remember running onto the field with all these little kids lining up in a guard of honour and that brought a tear to the eye and the chest was really beating quick. It was also Dave Furner’s and Brett Mullins’ last home game. We wanted to make sure it was a good one.”

Mullins scored two tries in the match, while Furner kicked six goals from seven attempts.The trio would go on to play one more game at Canberra Stadium, a winning quarter final against Penrith in the first week of the finals, but this was the day they all remember.

“It was an extremely emotional time” Furner said.

“I had all my family there and had spent 10 years of my life with the club and loved every minute of it.”

2000 Round 23 – Canberra Raiders 40 (Brett Mullins 2, Jason Croker 2, Jamaal Lolesi, Lesley Vainikolo, Andrew McFadden tries, David Furner 6 goals) defeated Sydney Roosters 12.

Wests Tigers

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The greatest grand final of all time

Put simply, it was the greatest game's greatest grand final. In 81 seasons, no non-Sydney club had ever claimed the NSWRL premiership. Likewise, no team had ever won it from outside of the top three under the final-five format. In 1989, Canberra rewrote the record books on both counts.

Balmain returned to the site of their grand final heartbreak from 12 months earlier and looked set to right the wrongs of 1988, storming to a 12-2 half-time lead. While the opening try came from a fortuitous intercept to former Wallabies winger James Grant, the second was one of the greats. Balmain's English import, Andy Currier, made room down the sideline before hoisting a towering bomb on the run. The bounce had Raiders fullback Gary Belcher utterly confused and Grant was again the man on the spot to collect the ball before finding Currier, who offloaded to Paul Sironen, the man-mountain turning on the pace from 20 metres out and carrying Brad Clyde over the line.

Canberra played the more consistent football in the opening half, but luck was firmly with Balmain, something that was destined to change in the second stanza, deserting the Tigers at the most heartbreaking of times. The Raiders were still tryless approaching the 60-minute mark, but evergreen winger John "Chicka" Ferguson changed all that as he toyed with the Balmain defence, allowing Belcher to cross for the Green Machine's opener and bring the score back to 12-8.

Black-and-gold luck was leaving the stadium. The Tigers had their chances to close out the game but each time they fell agonisingly short.First, pivot Michael Neill was the victim of a lunging Mal Meninga ankle-tap that saw him felled metres short with the line wide open. Then it was Balmain's favourite son Wayne Pearce who took his eyes off the ball, fumbling a pass in front of the posts as a sweeping Tigers attack in the Canberra red zone came to nothing.

A Currier penalty extended the lead to a converted try before field-goal specialist Ben Elias took aim at the sticks from close range and, in an iconic image, saw the ball cannon into the cross bar.

Conversely when Canberra looked for Lady Luck to shine on them late in the game, she responded favourably and with 90 seconds remaining the bounce of the ball was literally with the Raiders. Chris O'Sullivan's cross-field bomb landed in the middle of five Tigers defenders just short of the tryline, was collected by Laurie Daley who hurled the ball "line-out" style to Ferguson who stepped through the black-and-gold jerseys and burrowed his way over for a try. Meninga's conversion sent the grand final into unchartered territory - extra-time.

O'Sullivan took the early chance for points, slotting over a field goal two minutes into the extra period for a 15-14 lead which would stand until the 98th minute. Then in the dying stages, virtual unknown Steve Jackson created one of the most indelible images in the game's history scoring the try that would be synonymous with the greatest grand final of all time. After recovering a loose ball inside the Balmain half, Jackson looked to have been stopped at the 10-metre line. However with fresh legs and a case of white-line fever, Jackson lurched forward, carrying several defenders on his back, eventually crashing to the ground just close enough to reach out and bury the ball on the tryline.

In one fell swoop, Canberra had destroyed a host of the game's long-standing records and, though no one knew it then, begun one of the great rugby league dynasties that would stretch well into the new decade.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGpfea1rN6c

1989 Grand Final - Canberra Raiders 19 (Gary Belcher, John Ferguson, Steve Jackson tries, Mal Meninga 3 goals, Chris O'Sullivan field goal) defeated Balmain Tigers 14 in extra time at the Sydney Football Stadium.

* Some match reports are from 25 Years in the Limelight.
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User avatar
rolhai
Brett Mullins
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Re: Raiders greatest club clashes

Post by rolhai »

I would consider the storm game from '11 a worthy challenger for greatest clash vs storm
1985/86: The last time we missed consecutive finals series.....Until STICKY
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greeneyed
Don Furner
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Re: Raiders greatest club clashes

Post by greeneyed »

Of the games from 2011, the match against Melbourne, in Melbourne and the match against the Dragons, in Canberra, would be contenders.

There were also some great games in 2010, including the occasion of the home final against the Tigers, the finals win over Penrith... but neither would top the Grand Final winning games. The 2010 home win over the Dragons at home would be a contender, but probably not as good as 2009. The victory over the Knights in 2010 at Canberra Stadium was a good performance as well, but doesn't match the one on the list IMO.
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Green_Hammock
Bradley Clyde
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Re: Raiders greatest club clashes

Post by Green_Hammock »

I need to watch the 09 Storm game again, that description brought back some awesome memories. The Round 24 2010 game against the Dragons and the 2011 game at home are both as good and maybe better than that Dragons game in 09.
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